JP3043312B2 - Ball game machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to sequentially further a Oite plurality of symbols into a plurality of variable display portions provided in the variable display device
The pattern has been confirmed as a new, non-updated state
The present invention relates to a ball game machine that causes a specific game state when a combination of specific symbols is displayed.

[0002]

Conventionally, in order to update the Oite plurality of symbols into a plurality of variable display portions provided in the variable display device, the update
Providing when pattern in a state where no is displayed combination of specific symbols when it is determined, specific gaming state (hereinafter, sometimes referred jackpot gaming state) occurs allowed to pinball game machine many market It had been. In such a ball game machine, among the plurality of variable display units of the variable display device, the variable display operation of the other variable display units except the last variable display unit that is finally controlled to stop is stopped. The combination at the combination position of the symbol to be displayed and the symbol to be displayed when the variable display section to be last stopped is stopped may be a combination of specific symbols (hereinafter, referred to as a reach state). In order to give the player an expectation of a big hit game state, for example, the display control was performed such that the variable display portion which is still variably displayed so as to be finally stopped is slowly variably displayed. .

[0003]

However, in the variable display operation in the above-described reach state, the speed at which the symbols are displayed is merely reduced, and the number of symbols to be displayed (usually 10 or more) is required. Is no different from the case where it is displayed quickly, and there is a problem that once the specific symbol has passed, the sense of expectation for the big hit gaming state also decreases. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has an elasticity that can control the display of a variable display device so that a player can have more expectation than in the past when a reach state is reached. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball game machine.

[0004]

To achieve the above object SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, sequentially updates the Oite plurality of symbols into a plurality of variable display portions provided in the variable display device, its
Of when the combination of specific symbols when the state not to update is displayed, the pinball game machine allowed to rise to specific game state, the plurality of variable display portions, one variable <br/> variable combination of symbols when the other of the variable display portion excluding the display portion becomes non-update state, <br/> variable display unit is still in the update state symbols displayed at the non-updated status becomes non-update state Is in a reach state where there is a possibility of becoming a combination of the specific symbols , the variable display section still in the updated state is displayed.
Contains the specific symbol and is smaller than the number of symbols in a normal state.
The renewal letter is still updated to limit the number of symbols
Display control means for controlling the display of the variable display unit in the state .

[0005] When a reach state, variable display operation of include specific symbols into variable display unit you are and the normal but not yet
The number of symbols reduced from the number of symbols is variably displayed.
Since, it is possible the last variable display unit has an impression such that jackpot to the eye continues to have a large expectation for jackpot gaming state until it stops.

[0006]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a configuration of a gaming board 1 of a pachinko gaming machine as an example of a ball game machine according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, a game board 1 has a guide rail 2 for guiding a shot hit,
A section rail 3 that is set up in a substantially circular shape is provided inside the guide rail 2, and a range mainly surrounded by the section rail 3 constitutes a game area 4. In the approximate center of the game area 4, a variable display device 10 which constitutes a main part in the present embodiment and causes a specific game state (hereinafter, a big hit game state) is arranged, and a big hit is provided below the variable display device 10. A variable prize ball device 30 driven during a game state is arranged. Variable display device 10 and variable winning ball device 3
0 will be described later in detail.

In the game area 4, a variable display device 10 is provided.
Winning openings 5a and 5b are provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle, and winning openings 6a and 6b with windmills are provided on the upper right and left sides of the variable winning ball device 30. When a hit ball wins in these winning ports 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, a predetermined number (for example, 15) of prize balls are discharged. At both ends of the center of the game area 4, side lamps 7a, which are turned on or off according to the game state,
7b is provided, and an out port 8 for collecting out balls which did not win any of the winning ports or the winning ball devices provided in the game area 4 is provided at the lowermost portion thereof.
Further, a rail decoration lamp 9 which blinks or lights up according to the game state is provided outside the guide rail 2 and the division rail 3 so as to surround the outer periphery of the game area 4.

Further, a plurality of starting winning ports 25, 32a and 32b are provided in the game area 4 in order to cause the variable display device 10 to perform a variable display operation. The starting winning port 25 is arranged on the center line of the game board 1 below the variable display device 10, and the starting winning ports 32a and 32b are
At both ends of the variable winning ball device 30, the variable winning ball device 30 is formed integrally and arranged. Then, the starting winning ball detectors 26, 33a, 3 which detect the winning of the hit ball, respectively.
3b is built in.

Next, the configuration of the variable display device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, the variable display device 10 has a mounting board 11 mounted on the surface of the game board 1, and has “10” at the center of the mounting board 11.
A plurality of variable indicators 12, 13, 14a to 14c are provided in a letter shape. Variable display 12, 13, 14a shown
14c is constituted by a dot LED display, and displays a plurality of symbols. For example, ten numbers from "0" to "9" and "A" to
A total of 15 symbols of five alphabetic characters up to "E" are scroll-displayed sequentially and continuously.

By the way, the variable display units 12, 13, 14a
The variable display starts when a predetermined time elapses when a winning ball wins in the starting winning port 25, 32a, 32b and the starting winning ball detector 26, 33a, 33b is turned on. The display is controlled so as to be sequentially stopped. When the symbols displayed on the three variable indicators 12, 14b, and 13 in the horizontal direction are all the same as the symbol combination position at the time of the stop, In the specific game state, the variable winning ball device 30 is driven in a predetermined mode described later. Thus, the left variable display 12, which stops first,
The variable display 13 on the right, which is constituted by one dot LED display and then stops, is also constituted by one dot LED display. That is, the left and right variable displays 1
2 and 13 independently constitute a variable display unit. However, the variable displays 14a to 14c which are stopped last are composed of three dot LED displays, each of which is independently driven and displayed, but each of the variable displays 14a to 14c is controlled.
Is maintained. That is, the central variable displays 14a to 14c constitute one variable display section with three displays. In the reach state, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, display control is performed so that a specific symbol (in the illustrated example, “7” is a specific symbol) reciprocates on the variable indicators 14a to 14c.

Also, the above-mentioned variable display units 12, 13, 1
Decorative LEDs 15a to 15c are provided on the left, right, up and down of 4a to 14c.
d, 16a to 16d, 17a, and 17b are provided. These decorative LEDs are provided on the left and right variable indicators 12, 1
When the symbols displayed on the display 3 coincide with each other, that is, when the reach state is reached, the decorative LEDs 15a to 15d and 16a to 1
6d blinks to notify the user of this, and a decorative LED is displayed when a specific symbol displayed on the variable displays 14a to 14c is moved and displayed on the variable display 14a in the reach state.
The decorative LED 17b blinks when the specific symbol 17a blinks and the specific symbol is moved and displayed on the variable display 14c. When the number of the specific symbols is determined to be one or two, the decorative LEDs 15a to 15d or 16 are displayed when the specific symbols are stopped and displayed on the variable display 12 or the variable display 13.
a to 16d may be displayed blinking.

Further, the mounting substrate 11 is provided in a circle surrounding all of the variable displays 12, 13, 14a to 14c arranged in a "cross" shape and between the variable displays 12, 13, 14a to 14c. Are provided with decorative LEDs 18a to 18d, and furthermore, decorative lamps 21a, 21
1b, decorative LEDs 22a, 22b, decorative lamp 23a,
23b is provided. On the upper part of the mounting board 11, decoration LEDs 19a and 19b and a start prize memory display 2 are provided.
0 is provided. In the above-described configuration, the start winning storage display 20 includes four LEDs, and during the variable display operation of the variable displays 12, 13, 14a to 14c,
Or during the big hit game state, the starting winning prize port 25, 32a,
It notifies that the number of balls won in the 32b has been stored up to a maximum of four, and reserves the right to variably display the variable display device 10 by the stored value. In addition, decoration LED
18a to 18d, 19a, 19b, 22a, 22b and decorative lamps 21a, 21b, 23a, 23b are lit or flashed in a predetermined manner during a variable display operation or a big hit game state.
Alternatively, the variable display device 10
Is decorated with light. Since the surface of the mounting board 11 is subjected to a metallic luster treatment, the decoration L
The whole of the variable display device 10 gives the player a luxurious feeling while reflecting the light emitted from the ED, the decorative lamp and the like to make the entire display more vivid.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a description will be given of the structure of the variable winning ball device 30 driven when a big hitting game state is caused by the variable display device 10 described above.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the variable winning ball device 30, and FIG.
It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the central part of the variable winning ball device 30. In the figure, the variable winning ball device 30 has a horizontally long mounting substrate 31 mounted on the surface of the game board 1, and the starting winning ports 32a and 32b are integrally provided at both ends thereof. The start winning ports 32a and 32b incorporate the start winning ball detectors 33a and 33b as described above. Decorative lamps (not shown) are also built in the sides of the start winning ports 32a and 32b.

A pair of ball receiving members 34a and 34b are provided at the center of the mounting substrate 31 so as to be freely opened and closed by rotating shafts 35a and 35b. Rotating shafts 35a, 35b
As shown in FIG. 5, the rear end reaches the back surface of the game board 1 and the link members 36a and 36b (36b is not shown) are fixed, and the link members 36a and 36b Plunger 39 of solenoid 38 through
It is connected to. A return spring 40 is provided around the plunger 39 of the solenoid 38, and constantly biases the plunger 39 downward. Thus, when the solenoid 38 is turned on, the plunger 39 is sucked and rises, and this rising operation is performed by the operating member 37 and the link members 36a and 36b.
The rotation of the ball receiving members 34a and 34b is changed by the rotation of the rotation shafts 35a and 35b. However, in this rotation operation, the ball receiving members 34 are inserted into the guide slots 44a and 44b formed in the transparent plate 42 described later in an arc shape.
Guide pins 45a, 45 protruding from the rear surfaces of
The rotation range is regulated by the guide regulation of b.

An upper obstruction member 41a is provided on the upper portion of the mounting board 31 so as to prevent a hit ball from being won when the ball receiving members 34a and 34b stand upright. On the rear surface of the upper obstacle member 41a, as shown in FIG.
b is provided, and the upper obstruction member 41a is decorated with light from inside. A substantially square opening is formed in the mounting board 31 between the upper decorative member 41a and a winning frame 46 described later, and a transparent plate 42 is mounted above the opening. Then, the guide slot 44a,
44b and the rotating shafts 35a, 35b
Supports the front end of the A winning number indicator 43 (LED) for displaying the number of winning balls to be won during one opening / closing cycle, which will be described later, is provided on the upper rear surface of the transparent plate 42.

On the other hand, the rotating shaft 3 of the ball receiving members 34a, 34b
At the lower part of 5a, 35b, a prize receiving frame 46 that projects the prize ball received by the ball receiving members 34a, 34b and guides the prize ball to the rear of the mounting board 31 protrudes. In the illustrated prize receiving frame 46, the central portion is formed higher than the left and right and is inclined rearward.
7 and the lower left and right portions are the normal winning passages 48a, 48
8b. A specific prize area 49 is formed behind the specific prize path 47, and the normal prize paths 48a and 48 are formed.
Behind b, normal winning regions 50a and 50b are formed. A specific winning ball detector 51 is provided to detect a winning ball that has won the specific winning area 49, and the winning number detectors 52a and 52b are used to detect a winning ball that has won a normal winning area 50a or 50b. Is provided.

The variable winning prize ball device 30 has a starting winning port 32a, 32b as shown in FIG.
Transparent decorative plates 53a and 53b are mounted on a mounting board between the ball receiving members 34a and 34b. This transparent decorative plate 5
3a and 53b are formed integrally with (not necessarily integrated with) the transparent plate 42, and the normal winning area 5 is formed.
The appearance of the winning ball at 0a and 50b can be seen from the side. In FIG. 5, a winning ball collecting cover 54 is provided behind the game board 1, and glass plates 55 a and 55 b are arranged in front of the game board 1. The winning ball set cover body 54 may be directly attached to the back surface of the gaming board 1 alone, or may be formed on a mechanism plate disposed on the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine. It is a thing to collect balls. Although not shown, the pachinko gaming machine is provided with a speaker 56 that generates a sound effect corresponding to the gaming state of the variable display device 10 and the variable winning ball device 30 described above.

The general operation of the variable winning ball apparatus 30 described above in the big hit game state will be described. First, in the big hit game state, the ball receiving members 34a, 34b are kept until a predetermined time (for example, 25 seconds) elapses. Alternatively, the ball is released until the predetermined number (for example, 10) of the winning balls received by the ball receiving members 34a and 34b is reached within the predetermined time. Such opening is called an opening and closing cycle. Thus, when a winning ball wins the specific winning area 49 during the opening / closing cycle and the specific winning ball detector 51 is turned on,
A continuation right is generated and execution of the next opening / closing cycle is reserved. The repetition of such an opening and closing cycle is allowed a predetermined number of times (for example, 16 times) on condition that the continuation right is established in each opening and closing cycle. Therefore, when the big hitting game state is reached, a chance to obtain a large number of winning balls in a short time is provided. In addition,
The number of winning balls allowed during the opening / closing cycle is calculated based on the total of the detection signals of the winning balls detected by the winning number detectors 52a and 52b and the specific winning ball detector 51.

In the above operation, whether or not the continuation right has been established is determined based on whether or not the winning ball has flown down the specific winning passage 47 and has won the specific winning area 49. In the embodiment, the specific winning passage 4
7 is located higher than the normal prize passages 48a and 48b, it is easy to distinguish whether the prize ball is flowing down the specific prize passage 47 or the normal prize passages 48a and 48b. Can be visually and clearly confirmed by the player as to whether or not is established. In the illustrated embodiment, since the distance between the base ends of the ball receiving members 34a and 34b and the width of the specific winning passage 47 are almost the same size, the winning received by the ball receiving members 34a and 34b. Many of the balls once fall to the upstream side of the specific winning passage 47, and then fall to the left and right normal winning passages 48a and 48b in the process of flowing downward. For this reason, the ball receiving member 34
a, the winning ball accepted by 34b is the specific winning area 49
It is possible to play the game while feeling the expectation of being guided to the normal winning area 50a or 50b.

The pachinko gaming machine including the variable display device 10 and the variable winning ball device 30 has been described above.
This pachinko gaming machine is controlled by a game control circuit shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the game control circuit in a block configuration. In the figure, the control circuit includes a microcomputer 60 as a control center. The microcomputer 60 includes an MPU 61 capable of executing a control operation in a predetermined procedure, a ROM 62 storing operation program data of the MPU 61, And a RAM 63 that can write and read necessary data. The microcomputer 60 includes an input / output circuit 64, a sound generator 65, a power-on reset circuit 66, a clock generation circuit 67, a pulse frequency dividing circuit 6
8 and an address decode circuit 69.

The input / output circuit 64 includes detection circuits 70 to 72
, Winning start ball detectors 26, 33 a, 33 b, specific winning ball detector 51, winning number detectors 52 a, 52 b are connected to each other, and a ball receiving member solenoid 38 is connected via a solenoid driving circuit 73. Connected, dot LE
Variable display devices 12, 13, 14a via D drive circuit 74
To 14c are connected, the winning number display 43 and the starting winning storage display 20 are connected via the LED driving circuits 75 and 76, and the lamps such as the side lamps 7a and 7b are connected via the lamp driving circuit 77. Have been. Note that L
To the ED drive circuit 76 and the lamp drive circuit 77, other LEDs and lamps (not shown) provided on the game board 1 or the front of the pachinko game machine are also connected. A speaker 56 is connected to the sound generator 65 via an amplifier 78. Further, various voltages are supplied from the power supply circuit 79 to the above-mentioned game control circuit.

An example of the specific operation of the game control circuit described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 8 shows a main routine showing the entire operation of the embodiment. First, when the power is turned on, the microcomputer 60 sets the RA in step S1.
It is determined whether or not an error has occurred in M63.
If it is determined that there is an error, initial data is set in step S2. Since the processing in step S1 is always performed, an error is determined even when the microcomputer 60 runs out of program, and the initial data in step S2 is set.

If no error is determined in step S1 or if initial data is set in step S2, various subroutine control processes for controlling the game of the embodiment are performed. First, in step S3, switch check processing for checking the operation states of various detectors is executed, and then, in step S4, the same switch check processing is repeatedly executed. This is to execute the same processing repeatedly in the main routine in order to eliminate detection errors of each detector. Thereafter, in step S5, a sound, a lamp, and a LED generated in accordance with the progress of the game in step S5, a sound / lamp / LED control process for controlling driving of the LED, a step S6, a solenoid control process for controlling the operation of the ball receiving members 34a and 34b, And the variable indicators 12, 13, at step S7.
A symbol LED control process for controlling a variable operation (also referred to as fluctuation) of a symbol displayed on the dot LEDs 14a to 14c is executed.

After the execution of each subroutine, the data processed in each subroutine is output in step S8, and then "1" is added to the value of the hit / miss determination counter in step S9. The value of the hit / miss determination counter is used to determine the big hit gaming state as determined in step S32 described later. After "1" is added to the value of the hit / miss determination counter, it is determined in step S10 whether or not the value of the hit / miss determination counter is "235".
If it is "5", the value of the hit / miss determination counter is cleared in step S11, and then the process proceeds to step S12. If the value of the hit / miss determination counter is not "235", the flow directly proceeds to step S12.

In steps S12 to S18, processing for updating the symbols displayed on the variable indicators 12, 14b, 13 is performed. That is, step S
In step 12, "11" is added to the value of the first digit of the symbol display counter, and then in step S13, the value of the first digit is "15".
It is determined whether or not the value is “15” or more. If the value is “15” or more, “15” is subtracted from the value of the first digit in step S14, and
"1" is added to the value of the second digit. Next, step S15
It is determined whether or not the value of the second digit is “15”, and “1”
If "5", the value of the second digit is "1" in step S16.
"5" is subtracted, and "1" is added to the value of the third digit. Next, in step S17, it is determined whether or not the value of the third digit is “15”.
In step 8, "15" is subtracted from the value of the third digit, the process returns to step S12, and the processes of steps S12 to S18 are repeated. Further, steps S13, S15, S
Even if "NO" is determined in step 17, the process returns to step S12, and the processes in steps S12 to S18 are repeated.

That is, steps S12 to S18
The first digit of the value of the symbol display counter processed by "...- 0-11-7-3-14-10-6-2-"
13-9-5-1-12-8-4-0 ... ", and the second and third digits are" ... 0-1-2-3-4 ".
-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14
−0... ”. Then, the same symbol is given to those having the same value of the symbol display counter, and 15 types of symbols are displayed on the variable indicators 12a, 14b and 13. Steps S12 to S12 described above are performed.
The repetition of step S18 ends when the periodic reset signal is derived, and the main routine is repeatedly executed each time the periodic reset signal is derived. Then
This main routine is performed once every time there is a reset signal generated from the pulse dividing circuit 68. In this embodiment, however, the reset signal is generated once every 2 msec. Once.

In the subroutines included in the main routine, steps S3 and S4 relating to important game contents of the pachinko gaming machine of the present embodiment.
9 and 10 show the details of the switch check process, and FIG. 11 to FIG. 15 show the details of the symbol LED control process of step S7, while the other subroutines will be described in detail. Is omitted.

The switch check process will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In the switch check process, a check process subroutine is performed for each detector as shown in FIG. That is, in steps S19 and S20, a count SW check process for performing a check process of the winning number detectors 52a and 52b for detecting a winning ball that has been won in the variable winning ball device 30 is executed. A VSW check process for performing a check process of the specific winning ball detector 51 for determining the establishment of the continuation right is executed, and steps S22 to S2 are performed.
In step 4, the check processing of the start SW-A to C which performs the check processing of the start winning ball detectors 26, 33a, 33b for detecting the hit ball winning in the start winning holes 25, 32a, 32b is executed, and the switch check processing is performed. End the subroutine. FIG. 10 shows the details of the start SW-A check process in step S22.

The start SW-A check processing subroutine corresponding to one start winning prize ball detector 26 will now be described (other start winning prize ball detectors 33a and 33b).
Are omitted because they are the same as those of the start SW-B and C).
It is determined whether or not N is ON. If it is not ON, the value of the start SW-A check counter is cleared in step S28, and the start SW-A check processing subroutine ends. On the other hand, start SW-A is ON
If it is determined that the operation is performed, it is determined in step S26 whether or not the value of the start SW-A check counter is the maximum. The fact that the value of the start SW-A check counter is maximum (for example, 255) means that the start SW-A is continuously activated for a predetermined time (for example, 0.51 seconds).
This means that A is in an ON state, and such a state is a phenomenon that does not occur in a normal game, and is determined to be a failure of the start SW-A. Therefore, when it is determined that the value of the start SW-A check counter is the maximum, the start SW-A is executed without performing the following processing.
The WA check processing subroutine ends. When it is determined that such a failure has occurred, it is desirable to deactivate the entire game and generate a sound effect notifying the fact.

When it is determined that the value of the start SW-A check counter is not the maximum, "1" is added to the value of the start SW-A check counter in step S27, and then, in step S29, the start SW-A check counter is added. Is determined whether or not the value of is “2”. In this manner, whether the value of the start SW-A check counter is "2" is determined by the start SW-A.
This is for discriminating the signal due to the winning ball from the erroneous signal due to noise or chattering. When the value of the start SW-A check counter becomes "2", it is determined that the signal due to the winning ball is present. If the value of the start SW-A check counter is not "2", the start SW-A check subroutine is terminated. If the value is "2", the value of the start storage counter is set to "4" in step S30. Is determined. When the value of the start memory counter is "4", the start SW-A check subroutine is terminated to invalidate the signal, and "4"
If not, "1" is added to the value of the start storage counter in step S31.

Next, in step S32, it is determined whether or not the value of the hit / miss determination counter is "0".
If so, the big hit data is stored in the data storage area corresponding to the value of the start storage counter in step S33, and the start SW-A check subroutine ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that the value of the hit / decision counter is not "0", the process proceeds to step S3.
At 4, the deviation data is stored in the data storage area corresponding to the value of the start storage counter, and the start SW-A check subroutine is terminated. The processing of steps S32 to S34 is to determine whether the hit is a big hit or a miss based on the value of the hit / miss determination counter when the hit ball activates the start winning ball detector 26. In this case, the jackpot probability is “1/235”.

Next, the symbol LED control process in step S7 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 11 and 12 constitute a complete subroutine of the symbol LED control process, and FIGS.
Step S5 included in the completed subroutine
4, a subroutine representing detailed processing of S61 and S67. Hereinafter, the symbol LED control process will be described for each case.

(1) Processing when not fluctuating When any of the variable indicators 12, 13, 14a to 14c is fluctuating, steps S35 to S37 in FIG. 11 are performed.
Is determined to be "YES", and the process proceeds to the fluctuation process shown in FIG. In addition, the variable displays 12, 13, 14a
If none of .about.14c has changed, it is determined in step S38 whether or not the big hit flag has been set. If the big hit flag has been set, the symbol LED control process ends. That is, the fluctuation process is not performed during the big hit game state. If the big hit flag is not set, it is determined in step S39 whether or not the value of the start storage counter is "0".
, The symbol LED control process ends. That is, when there is no memory in the start memory counter,
No fluctuation processing is performed. Further, if the value of the start storage counter is not "0", that is, even if there is a stored value, step S
If the display of the variable display units 12, 13, 14a to 14c is out of order at 40, it is determined that the out-of-way interval timer, which is the interval time (for example, one second) until the start of the next change of the variable display unit, has not expired. Also, the symbol LED control process ends. Therefore, during the big hitting game state, when there is no start memory, and during the off interval, the variable indicators 12, 13, 14a to 14c.
Is not performed.

Conversely, when the game is not in the big hit game state, the start storage counter has a stored value, and the interval timer has expired, the following steps S41 to S41 shown in FIG.
The process of step S53 is performed. Thus, when the miss interval timer has expired, step S41 is executed.
After calling the current value of the symbol display counter in step S33, the data stored in area 1 of the data storage area processed in step S33 or S34 is read in step S33.
Call at 42. Thereafter, in step S43, "1" is subtracted from the value of the start storage counter, and at step S44
Shifts the data in the data storage area to the lower data area.

In step S45, it is determined whether or not the data called in step S42 is a big hit. If the data is a big hit, the value of the symbol display counter called in step S41 is adjusted to the left value. After performing the process of setting all values to the same value in step S46, the process proceeds to step S51. As a result, the same symbols are displayed on the variable displays 12, 13, and 14b. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S45 that it is not a big hit, it is determined in step S47 whether the left and right of the calling symbol (the value of the symbol display counter) are the same.
1 and if they are the same (reach state), step S4
At 8, it is determined whether or not the value of the hit determination counter is an odd number. If it is an odd number, the value in the symbol display counter is set to a value obtained by adding "1" to the left value in step S49, and if not, the value in the symbol display counter is set to the left value in step S50. Is a value obtained by subtracting “1” from the value. In other words, in the non-big hit reach state, the symbols displayed inside are the symbols before and after the symbols displayed on the left and right.

The above steps S46, S49, S50
After the value of the symbol display counter obtained by the processing of step S41 and the processing of step S41 in the case of a departure are stored as a scheduled stop symbol in step S51, the value of the variable speed control counter is cleared and the scroll switching counter is cleared in step S52. Also clear the value of. Here, the fluctuating speed control counter and the scroll switching counter are set to change the fluctuating speed and the scroll direction of the center variable indicators 14a to 14c in the reach state. Thereafter, in step S53, all the variable indicators 12, 1
3, a basic timer (for example, 5 seconds), which is the fluctuation time of 14a to 14c, is set, and the left symbol stop flag is set, thereby terminating the symbol LED control process.

(2) Processing During Fluctuation When the basic timer is set and the left symbol stop flag is set by the processing in step S53 described above, FIG.
Is determined to be "YES" in step S37, and the flow shifts to step S67 shown in FIG. In step S67,
The left, middle, and right symbol LED variation processing subroutine processing is performed, and these processing will be described first with reference to FIGS.

First, the subroutine for changing the left symbol LED will be described with reference to FIG.
At 1, it is determined whether or not the left symbol LED timer has expired. The left symbol LED timer is a time for displaying one address data, and is set to, for example, 14 ms. Thus, when the left symbol LED timer has not expired, the left symbol LED variation processing subroutine ends, and when the left symbol LED timer has expired,
In step S72, the left symbol LED timer is set and the next data address is set. Thereafter, in step S73, it is determined whether or not all the left symbol LED data has been completed.
Finish the fluctuation processing subroutine, and LE for all left symbols
When the D data is completed, the top address is set in step S74, and the left symbol LED variation processing subroutine is terminated. As described above, in the fluctuation process of the left symbol LED, a predetermined symbol is sequentially scroll-displayed in a predetermined scroll direction (for example, from top to bottom) at a predetermined fluctuation speed (14 ms). Similarly,
FIG. 14 shows a right symbol LED variation processing subroutine. Steps S75 to S78 in this subroutine correspond to steps S71 to S74.
In the variation process of the right symbol LED, a predetermined symbol is sequentially scroll-displayed in a fixed scroll direction at a predetermined variation speed (14 ms).

Next, the subroutine for changing the middle symbol LED will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 shows a variation processing subroutine for the central variable display 14b among the three variable displays 14a to 14c, and it is determined in step S79 whether or not the timer for the medium symbol LED has ended. The left symbol LED timer is a time for displaying one address data, and is set by the value of the variable speed control counter. In the present embodiment, since the variable speed control counter takes values of “1” and “0”, for example, it is set to 42 ms when it is “1”,
It is set to 14 ms when it is “0”. If the middle symbol LED timer has not expired, the middle symbol L
When the ED fluctuation processing subroutine ends and the middle symbol LED timer ends, it is determined in step S80 whether or not the value of the fluctuation speed control counter is "1". When the value of the variable speed control counter is "1", it indicates that the vehicle is in the reach state, as will be described in detail later, and "0".
Indicates that the vehicle is not in the reach state. If the vehicle is not in the reach state, a medium symbol LED timer (14 ms) corresponding to the value of the variable speed control counter is set in step S81.
Is set and the next data address is set.
Thereafter, in step S82, it is determined whether or not all of the middle symbol LED data has been completed. If not, the middle symbol LED variation processing subroutine is terminated. , Set to the top address in step S83 and set the middle symbol LED
The fluctuation processing subroutine ends. Thus, in the fluctuation process of the middle design LED when not in the reach state,
A predetermined symbol is sequentially scroll-displayed in a predetermined scroll direction (for example, from top to bottom) at a predetermined fluctuation speed (14 ms).

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S80 that the value of the variable speed control counter is "1",
If it is determined that the vehicle is in the reach state, step S8
At 4, it is determined whether or not the value of the scroll switching counter is "1". The value of the scroll switching counter is “0”
And "1", and in the case of "0", scroll display is performed in the same direction as the left and right symbol LEDs,
In the case of "1", it is set to scroll and display in the direction opposite to the left and right symbol LEDs. Thus, when the value of the scroll switching counter is not “1”,
If "0", in step S85, the middle symbol LED timer (42 ms) corresponding to the value of the variable speed control counter is set, and the next data address is set. Thereafter, in step S86, it is determined whether or not the middle symbol (variable display 14b) is one symbol ahead of the left symbol. Here, that the middle symbol is one symbol ahead of the left symbol means that the same symbol as the left symbol is displayed on the lower variable display 14c, and the upper variable indicator 14a has This means that the symbol two symbols ahead of the left symbol is displayed (the state shown in FIG. 2). If it is determined in step S86 that the middle symbol is not the symbol ahead of the left symbol, the process proceeds to step S82. If it is determined that the symbol is one symbol ahead, the scroll switching is performed in step S87. Set the counter value to “1” and set the middle symbol LE
The D fluctuation processing subroutine ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S84 that the value of the scroll switching counter is "1",
In step S88, a middle symbol LED timer (42 ms) corresponding to the value of the variable speed control counter is set, and the previous data address is set. As described above, when the value of the scroll switching counter is "1", the previous data is sequentially displayed in the middle symbol, so that the scroll direction shifts to the reverse (from bottom to top). That is, the symbols are displayed in the opposite direction. Thereafter, in step S89, it is determined whether or not the middle symbol (variable display 14b) is the symbol immediately before the left symbol. Here, the fact that the middle symbol is one symbol before the left symbol means that the same symbol as the left symbol is displayed on the upper variable display 14a,
The upper variable display 14c indicates that the symbol two symbols before the left symbol is displayed (the state shown in FIG. 3).
If it is determined in step S89 that the middle symbol is not the symbol immediately before the left symbol, the process proceeds to step S9.
If it is 0, it is determined whether or not the currently displayed data address is the top address. If it is not the top address, the middle symbol LED variation processing subroutine is terminated. If it is the top address, the previous data address is set in step S88. In order to perform this, the data end address is set in step S91, and the middle symbol LED variation processing subroutine ends. The processes of steps S90 and S91 are necessary when the reach state is performed with a symbol (for example, “0”) corresponding to the top address data. When it is determined in step S89 that the symbol is one symbol before, the value of the scroll switching counter is set to "0" in step S92, and the middle symbol LED variation processing subroutine is ended.

As described above, in the middle symbol LED fluctuation process, when the vehicle is not in the reach state, the left and right symbol LEDs are not changed.
When the same fluctuation processing as the fluctuation processing is performed and the game reaches the reach state, the fluctuation speed decreases, the hit symbol moves up and down (reciprocating scroll), and a large sense of expectation for the big hit game state until the middle symbol LED stops. Can be kept. In other words, when the reach state is reached, the fluctuating symbols are reduced to three symbols including the hit symbol and variably displayed, so that an impression that the hit symbol is stopped is given to the player, and the appearance of the hit symbol is improved. There is an impression, it can attract the interest of the player. In addition, medium design LE
D represents three dot LEDs (variable indicators 14a to 14
c), which are separately and independently scroll-driven and displayed.
In a, a symbol 1 displayed on the center variable display 14b is displayed.
The data corresponding to the symbol at the forefront (LED data at seven lines ahead) is displayed, and the lower variable display 14c is one position before (7 lines ahead) the symbol displayed on the central variable indicator 14b. LED data) is displayed, and the display timing and display switching timing of the LED data displayed on each of the variable indicators 14a to 14c are performed at the same time. That is, the fluctuation processing in the upper and lower variable indicators 14a and 14c is controlled only so that the LED data has the above-described relationship, and the other processing is the same fluctuation processing as the processing shown in FIG. The top address of the LED data is, for example, data for displaying a symbol “0”, and the final address is also data for displaying a symbol “0” for one cycle.

As described above, the fluctuation processing subroutine for each symbol LED is performed. The processing including these processing will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, step S
At 67, a left symbol LED variation process (steps S71 to S74 in FIG. 13), a middle symbol LED variation process (steps S79 to S83 in FIG. 15), and a right symbol LED variation process (steps S75 to S78 in FIG. 14) are performed. After that, the fluctuation processing is executed until it is determined in step S68 that the basic timer has expired. Thus, when the basic timer expires, the fluctuation processing is performed until it is determined in step S69 that the left symbol has become the scheduled stop symbol. When the left symbol becomes the scheduled stop symbol, the left symbol stop flag is cleared and the right symbol stop flag is set in step S70. This completes the left symbol LED change processing.

When the right symbol stop flag is set, FIG.
It is determined to be “YES” in the step S36 of 1 and the process shifts to the step S61 of FIG. Thus, step S61
In the middle symbol LED variation process (step S in FIG. 15)
After the right symbol LED variation process (steps S75 to S78 in FIG. 14) is performed, the variation process is performed until it is determined in step S62 that the right symbol has become the scheduled stop symbol. Then, when the right symbol becomes the scheduled stop symbol, it is determined in step S63 whether the left and right symbols are the same. That is, it is determined whether the vehicle is in the reach state. If it is not the reach state, the process proceeds to step S66 described later. If it is the reach state, the middle symbol is adjusted to the left symbol in step S64. The process of step S64 means that the middle symbol (the symbol displayed on the variable display 14b) is once set to a big hit symbol combination at the same time as the reach state is reached. Thereafter, the winning symbols are scroll-displayed in the vertical direction. Next, in step S65, a medium symbol basic timer (for example, 4
Second) and the value of the variable speed control counter is set to "1". Thereafter, in step S66, the right symbol stop flag is cleared and the middle symbol stop flag is set. This completes the right symbol LED variation processing.

When the middle symbol stop flag is set, FIG.
It is determined “YES” in step S35 of 1 and the process proceeds to step S54 of FIG. Thus, step S54
In the middle symbol LED variation process (step S in FIG. 15)
79 to S83, or steps S84 to S92)
Is performed, the middle symbol LED changing process is executed until it is determined in step S55 that the middle symbol basic timer has expired. When it is determined that the middle symbol basic timer has expired, the fluctuation process is performed until it is determined in step S56 that the middle symbol has become the scheduled stop symbol. Then, when the middle symbol becomes the scheduled stop symbol, it is determined in step S57 whether the left, middle, and right symbols are the same. That is, it is determined whether or not a big hit has occurred. If it is a big hit, a big hit flag is set in step S58 and a big hit interval timer (for example, 4 seconds) is set. If it is not a big hit, in step S59, a slip interval timer (for example, 1 second) is set. In step S60, the middle symbol stop flag is cleared. Thereby, the fluctuation process of the middle symbol LED is completed.

Although the configuration and operation of the variable display device 10 of the pachinko gaming machine according to the embodiment have been described above, according to this embodiment, when the variable display device 10 reaches the reach state, the stop control is finally performed. As much as possible, the big hit symbol is always moved and displayed at any one of the plurality of display positions of the variable displays 14a to 14c which are still performing the variable display operation, so that the variable display of the variable displays 14a to 14c is performed. Until the game is stopped, the player can keep the expectation of the big hit gaming state tense.

In the above-described embodiment, the symbol before and after the big hit symbol is reciprocated up and down when the reach state is set. However, only the big hit symbol is displayed and it is scrolled up and down. You may do it.
Further, three or more moving positions may be used. The order in which the plurality of variable display units are stopped is not limited to the embodiment, and may be, for example, the order in which the display units are stopped from left to right. Furthermore, although the variable display section that stops last is composed of three variable displays, one variable display that can move and display one symbol may be used. Although the dot LED is shown as the variable display unit, it may be a liquid crystal display, a variable display device using a drum whose rotation is controlled by a stepping motor, or a plurality of variable display units. It is also possible to display a symbol at a plurality of positions. For example, a five-line variable display device having five combination positions may be used. In addition, as a method for determining the big hit, in the above-described embodiment, the hitting / losing determination counter is selected at the time of starting winning,
First, the reach state is determined by dividing into a first step for determining the reach state and a second step for determining whether the jackpot has been reached or not after determining the reach (probability is, for example, 1/3). After that, the probability of the big hit state is greatly increased, so that the interest of the player can be further attracted.

[0048]

Effect of the Invention] Thus, as is apparent from the description, in the present invention include when a reach state, the specific symbols in the variable display portion that has a variable display operation's non 且
Variably display the number of symbols reduced from the number of normal symbols
With this configuration, it is possible to give the impression of a big hit in appearance, and to keep a great expectation of the big hit game state until the last variable display section stops.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a variable display device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the variable display device showing a state of a symbol displayed on a middle variable display in a reach state.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the variable display device showing a state of a symbol displayed on the middle variable display in a reach state.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the variable winning ball device.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the variable winning ball device cut at a central portion thereof.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a game board of the ball game machine according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a game control circuit for controlling a game operation.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a main routine of a game operation controlled by a game control circuit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a switch check processing subroutine.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a start SW check process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a part of a symbol LED control process.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a part of a symbol LED control process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a left symbol LED changing process.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a right symbol LED changing process.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a middle symbol LED changing process.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game board 10 Variable display device 12, 13 14a-14c Variable display (variable display part)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A variable display device sequentially updated Oite plurality of symbols into a plurality of variable display portion provided in, Do and the update
In a ball game machine that causes a specific game state when a combination of specific symbols is displayed when the symbol is determined and the symbol is determined , one of the plurality of variable display units may include one of the variable display units. The other variable display parts except for the non-updated state are in the non-updated state, and the symbols displayed in the non- updated state and the variable display parts still in the updated state are in the non- updated state.
When the combination with the symbol at the time of the update state has reached the reach state where there is a possibility that the combination with the specific symbol,
In the variable display unit still in the updated state,
The number of patterns including the patterns and reduced from the number of the normal patterns
A ball game machine comprising display control means for controlling the display of the variable display section still in the updated state so as to perform limited update .